Puccini: Tosca [Highlights] [Original recording remastered]

Paul Hudson (Performer), Renato Bruson (Performer), Giacomo Puccini (Composer), James Levine (Conductor), Philharmonia Orchestra of London (Orchestra), Dominick Martinez (Performer), Renata Scotto (Performer), Andrea Velis (Performer), Plácido Domingo (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Paul Hudson, Renato Bruson, Dominick Martinez, Renata Scotto, Andrea Velis, et al.
• Orchestra: Philharmonia Orchestra of London
• Conductor: James Levine
• Composer: Giacomo Puccini
• Audio CD (October 24, 2000)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: EMI Classics
• ASIN: B00004ZDLF
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #555,359 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An Outstanding Performance, July 16, 2001

By 

A. Lukas (Spokane, WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Puccini: Tosca [Highlights] (Audio CD)

I possess the complete version of this recording and I am still astounded by the outstanding singing on this recording. Renata Scotto is considerably well suited to many Puccini roles and this recording proves to be one of her greatest. However, I warn the uniniated that Scotto's has a very large vibrato and if you don't want to hear her sing "Vissi d'arte" with it, then don't buy this.

Alongside her, in the role of her beloved Cavaradossi, Placido Domingo gives an excellent performance. His "E Lucevan e stelle" is one of the most moving that I have heard and stands right along with Giuseppe di Stefano in the classic 1953 recording with Maria Callas and Tito Gobbi.

However, I reserve my praise for the Scarpia on this CD. Renato Bruson gives us an astounding, spine-tingling interpretation of one of the greatest villains in opera. When he sings his great aria at the end of Act I (Tre Sbirri una carozza) one feels one's spine tingling. With all the other interpretations that I have heard over many years on the radio and in the theater, this interpretation still stands out as one of the best and most accurate.

James Levine leads the orchestra with great verve and his insight into the score is undeniable particularly in the many lyric passages of this opera.

An excellent recording of the highest order!

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A truly sensatinal journey with Puccini, January 6, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Puccini: Tosca [Highlights] (Audio CD)

Tosca's premier was held in 1900, that is a century ago. The love story of Tosca and Cavaradossi is still alive in every opera fan's heart. I recommend this CD to every one who loves Opera or just enjoy the story of the young and fair Tosca. One of the best aria performance in ACT II,.